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Florence 1 board recognizes STEM teacher of the year and state academic champions; public commenter praises superintendent
Summary
The board recognized Ben Johnson as Air & Space Forces Association Swamp Fox STEM teacher of the year and honored multiple state‑ and regional‑champion student teams; former councilman Buddy Brand praised Superintendent Dr. O'Malley during public comment.
At the start of the meeting the Florence 1 Schools board recognized several educators and student teams for recent honors.
Pam Little McDaniel introduced Ben Johnson as the district’s mobile STEM lab facilitator and said he was named the Air and Space Forces Association Swamp Fox STEM teacher of the year after nine years of middle‑school teaching and a year as an instructional coach. "His outstanding leadership, his innovation, and his district‑wide impact in STEM education make him highly deserving of this recognition," the presenter said.
The board also recognized middle‑ and high‑school academic competition champions from the Pee Dee region. Moore Middle School was named Pee Dee regional middle‑school champion and went on to state competition; Wilson High School went undefeated in its regional high‑school academic competition and earned the state title, with plans to compete at nationals in late May. South Florence High School students were also recognized as state Technology Student Association web design champions.
During the public participation segment, Buddy Brand, a former city and county councilman, addressed the board and praised the superintendent's leadership and the district's progress, saying the district had made substantial improvements over the past decade.
Board chair Porter Stewart and other trustees offered congratulations to the award recipients.
